Pastor at Dover Baptist Church in Goochland, VA.
Standing Strong in the Valley of Fear Imagine standing on the sun-scorched hillside of Elah. The air wavers with heat. Dust clings to the sandals of Israel’s trembling warriors. Across the ravine, stands Goliath of Gath, a human fortress armored in bronze. His voice bellows taunts across the valley, crashing like thunder against the hills... Continue Reading →
Introduction: Last week, we followed Jesus to the Sea of Galilee, where He called Peter, Andrew, James, and John. At His simple command, “Follow Me,” they dropped everything. Today, the story continues. Jesus takes His new disciples into Capernaum. Just like in Nazareth, the first thing He does is head straight to the synagogue and... Continue Reading →
When God Starts in the Margins Let me begin with a question: If you were going to launch a movement to transform and redeem the world, where would you start? It is natural to think in terms of power, visibility, and influence. Our minds go to capitals, capitals of religion (Jerusalem), of politics (Rome), of... Continue Reading →
I. Saul’s First Mistake: He Did Not Wait on God (1 Samuel 13:1-23) We all know how difficult it can be to wait on God. We probalby know how hard it is to wait on a job offer, a diagnosis, or direction in life. Waiting tests us like nothing else. 1 Samuel 13 is about... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. SAMUEL'S PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY (1 Samuel 12:1-5) Before Saul wore the crown, Israel stood apart. Surrounded by nations that bowed to thrones of gold and marble, Israel bowed to the Living God. While others trusted in chariots and kings, Israel trusted in the voice of the Lord. God Himself was their King,... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. The Majesty of the Mundane (1 Samuel 9:1–10:16) This morning I’d like to begin with a simple encouragement: Don’t overlook the ordinary. God often hides His greatest works in the quiet corners of daily life. Heaven doesn’t always announce its mission with trumpets, and angels don’t always sing above open fields.... Continue Reading →
O Lord God of Hosts, the King of the nations, unto You we lift our eyes and hearts on this occasion. As we raise the banner of this land, we acknowledge You as the giver of all good things, the Defender of the just, and the Judge of all the earth. We bless You, O... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. The Danger of Presuming on God's Presence (1 Samuel 4) In 1 Samuel 4, Israel makes a fatal mistake. They presume on God's presence without submitting to His authority. Facing the Philistines, a fierce warrior people from the island of Caphtor (modern-day Crete), Israel believes the battle can be won by... Continue Reading →
The Setting for the Revelation (John 3:22–26) After explaining the mystery of new birth to Nicodemus, Jesus shifts from words to action: “After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized” (John 3:22, ESV). John 4:2 later clarifies that it was not Jesus but... Continue Reading →
Sermon Audio: LINK I. Introduction: The Rarity of God's Word (v. 1) 1 Samuel 3 opens by informing us that, “the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (1 Samuel 3:1, ESV). Do not... Continue Reading →
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